First (James Yammouni)

Chapter 3

The first thing that I did when I woke up the next morning was shower. I didn't know exactly where I was going but I knew that today I would have to try and find a job somewhere. I couldn't live with my dad forever, and I knew that, and while I was taking care of my mom I had multiple jobs that I needed in order to pay her bills, so working wasn't anything new to me. While I was in the shower I washed and conditioned my hair thoroughly, in order to make sure that my crazy hair would at least seem well groomed today. I quickly washed and shaved my body, then scrubbed my face and nails clean from any dirt. Once I got out of the shower I put lotion on my skin, And i put a small amount of gel in my hair to tame the crazy curls, then I wrapped a towel around my body so I could get ready.

I had to make myself look very well groomed, so for the first time in ages my nails were being painted a light pink color. My hair was held away from my face by a cheap plastic headband that I've owned for years but never used. I grabbed my purse and searched around for my mothers green makeup bag that she had used for her makeup ever since I can remember. I opened it and searched for her eyeliner and applied it to my top lid before using the mascara to cover my lashes. Makeup wasn't something that I used often, I wasn't used to it either, but today I figured a little bit of it shouldn't hurt. I decided that I would wear a simple pair of black shorts with a short sleeved button up white blouse. Once I was dressed I put on a pair of white flats and looked myself over in the mirror. I decided that I looked ok and grabbed my keys and my purse before I headed out the door.

Once in my truck I pulled out of the driveway, I realized that I didn't know where anything was, and decided to get a gps system from the first convenience store I could find. About twenty minutes later I found one and bought the cheapest one I could find, installing it quickly with little complication. I typed in the address to my fathers house before anything else in case I ever got lost on the way back there. I drove around for another twenty minutes before I spotted a bakery with a "help wanted" sign in the window. I wasn't much of a baker but you could always learn, right?

I parked my truck and headed inside, it smelled like chocolate and fresh cookies and my stomach immediately began grumbling from the delicious aroma.

"Hello, dear. Is there anything that I can help you with?" An old woman from behind the counter asked.

"Yes, actually" I said, approaching the counter "I saw your 'help wanted' sign outside and I was wondering if I could fill out an application"

"Oh yes, just one moment" she said before scurrying away towards the back and out of sight. While she was gone I gazed around at all of the baked goodies on display through the glass. The place was small and sweet, reminding me of those old movies my mother used to watch.

Before I could start drooling over the goodies she returned with stapled paper and a pen. I thanked her before filling it out quickly, then with a smile I handed the application back to her.

"I noticed that your accent isn't from around here" she stated kindly "where exactly are you from?"

"I'm from Louisiana" I said "a small place called Calhoun"

"And what brings you to California?" She asked with her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"My mother passed, so I had to come live with my father"

"I'm very sorry to hear that, dear" she said with a frown etched into her features.

I stayed quiet, choosing not to reply to her statement.

"Do you know how to bake?" She asked.

"Only what my mother taught me" I said. Though it wasn't much she didn't have to know that, even though I felt guilty for lying in a way, I really needed a job.